Modular floating breakwater for the transformation of wave energy

ABSTRACT

A floating modular system for the protection of harbours and the transformation of energy, consisting of: 
     a plurality of modules ( 1 ) made of metal and/or reinforced marine concrete box-structure, comprising internal air spaces ( 2 ) for determining the floating thereof and a lower flooded room ( 4 ) for the stabilization, under the impact of the sea waves against the level surfaces ( 6 ) for their reflection, for the protection of the opposed harbour environment (AP), provided with floating quays ( 7 ); 
     a series of floats ( 8 ) applied to the wave front of the modules ( 1 ), operated by the wave motion for absorbing their energy by double effect pumps ( 9 ) with the successive transformation into electric energy; 
     a self-levelling system for the anchorage of each of the modules ( 1 ), with self-distributed traction; 
     a system for balancing the tide variations and for levelling the modules ( 1 ); 
     a system of joints for coupling the modules ( 1 ) according to the extension.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is the 35 USC 371 national stage of International ApplicationPCT/IT99/00287 filed on Sep. 14, 1999, which designated the UnitedStates of America and published as WO 01/20163 in English.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a floating modular system for theprotection of harbours and for the transformation of energy, with aself-levelling system for the anchorage with self-distributed tractionand balancing of the tide variation and levelling between modulesconnected by means of couplings.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention results from the need to protect the coasts evenwhere there are no gulfs and bays, for the realization of harbourstructures away from land protected by waves and independent of energyconcerns.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aim set forth is achieved by the apparatus according to the presentinvention which provides a system of coupled modules, self-levelled withrespect to the anchorage and to the tide variations, having a planestructure perpendicular to the direction of the wave motion propagationin the high seas and therefore with a sinusoidal oscillation withoutbackwash whirlpools, present in places where the soundings are deeperthan half the maximum possible height of a wave, so as to reflect saidwaves for the complete protection of the opposed reaches of the coast,and comprising means for absorbing the energy of the wave motiontransforming it into pneumatic and/or gravitational energy of waterspumped on the spot for the further transformation into electric energy.

The advantages of the present invention are many and remarkable:

the possibility of realizing floating harbour structures opposed to acoast, possibly without gulfs or bays;

the automatism in the anchorage levelling and with respect to the tidevariations;

the possibility of obtaining a power autonomy and even an exceedingenergy production;

the possibility of transporting the modules by marine traction and thepossibility of composing the same with different dimensions;

it is ecological, as the whole system may be covered with cultivationsso as to make it aesthetical similar to verdant islands;

the possibility, as a partial alternative to the preceding one, toobtain architectonic realizations supported by the floating modules.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be explained more in detail herein belowrelating to the enclosed drawings in which an embodiment is shown.

FIG. 1 shows an axonometric scheme of a floating modular apparatus forthe protection of harbours and for the transformation of energy.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show a lateral scheme of two variants of the means fortransforming the wave motion energy into hydraulic gravitational and/orpneumatic energy.

FIG. 4 shows a possible system for the self-levelling of the floatingmodules' anchorage, with self-distributed traction.

FIG. 5 shows a possible system for balancing the tide variations and forlevelling the modules.

FIG. 6 shows a plant scheme of a possible system of joints between thefloating means.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The enclosed figures show a floating modular system for the protectionof harbours and for the transformation of energy, comprising:

a plurality of modules 1, made of metal and/or reinforced marineconcrete box-structure, comprising internal air spaces 2 for achievingfloating of said modules, upper rooms 3 that can be exploited indifferent ways, and a lower flooded room 4 which, once filled withwater, through openings 5, determines the lowering extent of the centerof gravity of a given module and the floating stabilization under theimpact of the waves against the level surfaces 6 for the reflection ofthe waves and the protection of the opposed harbour environment AP,provided with floating quays 7;

a series of floats 8 that will be operated by wave motion for absorbingwave energy with double effect pumps 9 for the accumulation of water atthe top of the modules 1 and/or for operating pneumatic systems;

a self-levelling system for the anchorage of each of the modules 1, withself-distributed traction;

a system for balancing the tide variations and for levelling the modules1;

a system of joints for coupling the modules 1 according to the extensionrequired for the protection.

According to the details shown in FIG. 2, each float 8 operates, bymeans of a vertical rod 10, a piston 11 which, by means of valves 12,13, 14 and 15 determines, in the rises and in the troughs of the wave,the suction of sea water in conduit 16 and the delivery through a pipe17 to an accumulation reservoir contained 18 from which, thanks togravity and operation of energy conversion means 33 such as hydraulicturbines and alternators, the transformation of the mechanic energy ofthe wave into electric energy is possible.

In the variant shown in FIG. 3, said floats 8 have been replaced byhollow structures in the shape of a bell 19, in which the liquid mass ofthe sea wave has the function of a liquid piston for moving the aircollected by an upper pair of bellows 20, by means of a valve 21, andthe further delivery thereof, by means of a valve 22, to a duct providedwith energy conversion means 34 such as a pneumatic impeller, alsooperating an alternator or similar, for the production of electricenergy.

The self-levelling system shown in FIG. 4 comprises one single rope 23which, starting from the self-blocking winch 24 through pulleys 25, isjoined to anchorage points 26 and allows, due to its movement, theadjusting of the level of the modules during installation as well asduring changes of the tide level.

Furthermore, said system determines the automatic distribution of theload onto said anchorage points 26, in a static or dynamic position ineach module 1, even in case or sudden overload in extreme points. Thisavoids to overload only one anchorage point thus preventing its breakingor the breaking of the rope.

For quickly replacing said rope 23, due to regular maintenance or towear, two parallel ways may be taken: in one, the traction rope mustslide and in the second one, a cable is used at the same moment ofreplacement of said rope.

In an embodiment of the system according to the present invention, thesliding points of the rope consist of fixed half pulleys 25 with conicalopening for housing the emergency blocking device for a broken rope.Said system is arranged at a distance calculated according to themaximum lift of the coupling hinges between the modules.

In case of casual breaking of the rope, the blocking system allows toput out of use just one portion thereof while the remaining part of therope will continue to work, allowing the module to be lifted only a fewcentimeters; in this case, no damage will occur to the structure, and itwill be possible to quickly replace the rope.

The replacing of the rope takes place in the room in which saidwinch(es) 24 is (are) arranged. The top end the bottom of the rope isprovided, according to the present invention, with a self-blockingsystem with conical housing and with big damping springs. Theinstallation of the rope from the top has three advantages:

during installation, the underwater work is limited;

the traction of the rope may be constantly controlled;

the rope may be replaced at any moment, even during rough sea.

The balancing system shown in FIG. 5 provides a dose chamber 2′ in eachmodule 1, containing water and air; water is let in through ducts 27while air is pumped in by means of a compressor 28 so that, by adjustingthe quantity of water in the chamber, the lowering or lifting of saidfloating module 1 is obtained.

Depending upon variation of the sea according to the tide, the airvolume required for keeping the module 1 lifted and therefore in astable position during low tide will be calculated. The stress of therope will be calculated taking into account the draught during hightide.

The described system allows to lift and lower each module 1 obtainingfour remarkable advantages:

for performing the anchorage, after having fixed the rope, a module 1 islifted discharging water until it reaches the same level as the othermodules;

loading and discharging water the exact tension of the rope is obtained,and a plurality of modules may be hinged at the same time without greateffort;

each module 1 is independent and therefore no particular device isrequired for placing it.

The coupling system between said modules 1 as shown in FIG. 6 consistsof two parts: a housing 29, to be positioned on said module 1, and amovable part.

Said housing 29 is closed with a bracket 30 after having inserted ajoint 31, realized with a cross-shaped system so as to perform verticalas well as horizontal movements; the ends thereof consist of two plateshoused in said module 1.

The empty space between said modules 1 may receive two hard rubbercushions 32: or similar which have the function of dampening the bumpsand not allowing the passage of portions of waves to the opposite partof the module. necessary The coupling system described above has provedto be necessary for increasing the safety of the system in case ofloosening in the anchorage system or of modest pitching due to suddenoverload on the extreme points of each module.

Finally, in case of anomalous frequencies and heights in the bumpsagainst the whole front of said modules 1, a dampened reaction wouldoccur avoiding the breaking of the couplings.

What is claimed is:
 1. A floating modular apparatus for protecting aharbor and transforming energy, which comprises: a plurality of modulesmade of metal and/or reinforced marine concrete box-structure,comprising internal air spaces for achieving floating of said modules;upper rooms; and a lower flooded room which, once filled up with watervia openings, determines the lowering extent of the center of gravity ofa given module and the floating stabilization under the impact of wavesagainst level surfaces which reflect the waves and protect the harbor; aseries of float means operated by wave motion for absorbing wave energywith double effect pumps for accumulating water at the top of saidmodules and operating pneumatic systems; a self-leveling system foranchoring each of said modules with self-distributed traction; abalancing system for balancing tide variations and for leveling saidmodules; and a coupling system between said modules for seriallycoupling said modules.
 2. The floating module apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein each of said float means comprises a float whichoperates a piston via a vertical rod; said piston being operativelyassociated to valves and determining, in rises and in troughs of thewaves, the suction of sea water and the delivery of sea water through apipe to an accumulation reservoir; said reservoir being operativelyassociated to energy conversion means for transforming the mechanicenergy of the waves into electric energy.
 3. The floating modularapparatus according to claim 1, wherein said float means comprise hollowstructures in the shape of a bell, in which the liquid mass of the seawaves functions as a liquid piston for moving via a first valve, aircollected by an upper pair of bellows, and for subsequently deliveringsaid air via a second valve to a duct operatively associated to energyconversion means for producing electric energy.
 4. The floating modularapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the self-leveling systemcomprises one single rope, which starting from a self-blocking winchthrough pulleys, is joined to anchorage points.
 5. The floating modularapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the balancing system comprises achamber in each module containing water and air; said water being let inthrough ducts and air being pumped in by a compressor.
 6. The floatingmodular apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the coupling systembetween said modules comprises a housing positioned on each module, anda movable joint adapted to be inserted in said housing; said jointhaving two ends and a cross shape so as to perform vertical andhorizontal movements; said ends comprising two plates; and said housingbeing closed by a bracket after insertion of the joint.
 7. The floatingmodular apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising rubbercushions positioned between serially connected modules for dampeningbumps and preventing passage of portions of waves.